Pause for breath …

Floating ‘islands in the stream’, Rotterdam (Photo: Irene Bom)

With Pentecost around the corner, I’ve selected “breath” as our theme of the month for May. To launch this series of posts, here is a prayer by Amy Loving that engages our breath to help us better connect with the gift and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Breath Prayer

The Apostle Paul tells us that the Spirit of God prays for us “with sighs too deep for words”. Through the Life-Giving Breath of God, we are given all that we need. Let us breathe deeply – inhaling the good gifts that God provides, and exhaling all of the things that we need to release.

Let us breathe in strength.(Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale our exhaustion.(Pause for breath…)

Let us breathe in freedom.(Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale all that holds us back.(Pause for breath…)

Let us breathe in a new sense of direction.(Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale the paths we no longer want to use.(Pause for breath…)

Let us breathe in hope.(Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale self-doubt.(Pause for breath…)

Let us breathe in unconditional love.(Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale distrust and hate.(Pause for breath…)

Holy Spirit, let us feel the mighty rush of your presence in this place. Blow away our fears and worries, and help us to breathe in your gifts of new life. Amen.